Americans are now more likely to name dysfunctional government as the most important problem facing the country than to name any other specific problem. Thirty-three percent of Americans cite dissatisfaction with government and elected representatives as the nation’s top issue, the highest such percentage in Gallup’s trend dating back to 1939. Dysfunctional government now eclipses the economy (19%), unemployment (12%), the deficit (12%), and healthcare (12%) as the nation’s top problem.

Just when we need to get serious about discussing and debating problems like inequality, poverty, unemployment, and the economic system that has created them, the public’s attention is distracted and diverted to the insanity that has overtaken the nation’s political leaders.